Surviving the SUS Laws

 

 

Checklist of rights

 

 

You can only be stopped and searched when an officer believes that you are carrying: drugs, weapons or stolen property; or items which could be used to commit a crime or an act of terrorism.  The officer must explain this to you.

 

BEFORE you are searched, the officer must take all reasonable steps to ensure that you understand :

 

What law they are using and your rights, their name; the station they work at, why they stopped you; what they are looking for; and your right to a stop/search form.

 

It is important for you to keep a copy of the stop/search form especially if you are not happy with the way you were treated.

 

The officer must write down: your name or a description of you (only if you are searched); your ethnic background; when where and why you were stopped or searched; if they are taking any action against you; the names and/or number of the officers; and if you were searched, what they were looking for and anything they found.

 

The officer must treat you fairly and with dignity and respect.  You can ask that the officer who searches you is the same sex as you and officers should, if possible, take you out of public view before searching you.

 

You do not have to give your name, address and date of birth unless you are being arrested or reported for an offence.

 

If you feel you were treated differently because of your race, faith – you can get a complaint form from the police station, solicitor, Citizens Advice Bureau or

independent police Complaints Commission.

 

An easy way to remember your rights is “GO WISELY”:

 

Grounds for the search

Object of the search

 

Warrant card must be produced if in plain clothes

Identify - the PC must inform the suspect of his name

Station – the police station at which the constable works

Entitlement to a copy of the search record

Legal power being used for detention

You are being detained for the purpose of search – suspect must be told he is being detained.